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Article published Dec 11, 2003
Colleges pool their resources
Mesha Y. Williams
Staff
Writer
Three Spartanburg colleges promise to save students time
and money when pursuing careers in the health sciences.College presidents of
Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, Spartanburg Technical College and the
University of South Carolina Spartanburg signed an agreement Wednesday creating
the Two Plus One Plus One program.The educators were optimistic about the
program, emphasizing it will create more scholastic opportunities and workforce
training.It is the first time that all three colleges have teamed together,
officials said."This will mean an awful lot to the people of the Upstate because
it creates options," said Dr. Jerry Hardee, president of Sherman."As college
presidents, we ought to figure out ways to increase the options for the people
we serve."John Stockwell, chancellor of USCS, said it's rare that colleges with
different missions in the public and private sector have come together to serve
the best interests of students at the institutions.A student entering the Two
Plus One Plus One program must enroll at STC, completing an associate's degree,
then transfer to USCS for one year.Sherman will accept students earning a
minimum 2.5 grade point average in core courses, and who have completed general
education requirements at USCS and the Two Plus One Plus One curriculum.The
student will then earn their bachelor's degree after successfully completing
their first year at Sherman.Students can continue studying at Sherman to
complete their Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in an additional two and half
years, officials said.The program will essentially help students earn three
degrees in six years instead of the traditional seven and half, coordinators
said.Students will spend less time inschool and so pay less in tuition."We
believe that students at our institutions are there for a reason…and the
ultimate goal is to improve their station in life," Dan Terhune, president of
STC, said.He said students are interested in the program, which begins in
January.The presidents said the agreement is another positive step in the
"college town" initiative to create a higher retention rate of graduates in the
Upstate.Todd Froehlich graduated in 1999 from Sherman's 3 plus 1 program, a
program similar to 2 plus 1 plus 1 with USCS as its partner.He is now practicing
in Cookeville, Tenn. and said the program has benefited him."The additional
knowledge I gained has helped to market my practice," he said. "It was a little
stressful at the time, but ultimately if pays off."Mesha Williams can be reached
at 562-7424 or mesha.williams@shj.com.By AMANDA RIDLEYBusiness WriterQueen Noor
of Jordan will be the featured guest of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare
System Foundation's The Society of 1921 donor appreciation gala on March 20 at
the Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park.The Society of 1921 includes donors
who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the foundation, which raises money for
health-related programs within the hospital system and in the community.Olympic
gold medalist ice skater Scott Hamilton was the featured guest for last year's
event, which includes a reception, a dinner and a dance.And with the eyes of the
world focused on the Middle East, Queen Noor has stepped out on the global stage
in her own quest to achieve peace in her homeland. The American-born Princeton
graduate is sharing her story from her bestselling book, "Leap of Faith, Memoirs
of an Unexpected Life.""We're honored to have Queen Noor to speak this year,"
said Rick Dent, SRHS vice president and executive director of the foundation.In
the past, the event has been held at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium."We've
had tremendous success inthe past, and have always heard from our donors that
the event was second to none," Dent said. "And with the excitement of the
Marriott opening we're really excited to be here this year."And the Marriott is
excited to host its first royalty at the hotel, said Greg Googer, director of
sales and marketing."This is a great event for us in our first year," he said.
"And we're thankful for the trust and support of the community."Dent and Susan
Spires, the foundation's director of annual gifts, met with Googer over a year
ago to discuss the possibility of the new 250-room hotel hosting the 800-guest
event."Before we would have to use several different vendors for this event, but
the having the event at the Marriott allows us to use them for almost everything
we need," said Spires, who said the Marriott provides the tables, rentals, valet
parking, catering and overnight accommodations.Security is also a big issue for
the foundation and the Marriott can provide secret entrances and exits for the
Queen that are off-limits to the public.Foundation employees and volunteers have
worked this week with Said Gomaa, the hotel restaurant's sous chef, who is
preparing the menu for the event.While the foundation wants to keep the menu a
surprise, Gomaa said the food would be an "Americanized Middle Eastern dish."A
taste test will be held for foundation employees the second week of January,
Spires said.This year is the 12th anniversary of the foundation, which has
returned more than $8 million to the community in the form of education
programs, treatment services and advanced technology.Many of the grants are
given to programs directly related to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System,
but grants also have gone to community organizations such as Boys and Girls
Clubs, St. Luke's Free Clinic, the YMCA and New Day Clubhouse, a day program for
the mentally ill.Previous special guests at galas for The Society of 1921, named
after the date of the hospital's founding, include broadcaster Tom Brokaw,
entertainer Carol Burnett, Secretary of State Colin Powell and former President
George and Barbara Bush.Amanda Ridley can be reached at 562-7270 or
amanda.ridley@shj.com.